Real Madrid face fresh VAR controversy in win over Oviedo | OneFootball

For the second straight La Liga game, Real Madrid find themselves caught in a refereeing controversy.

After their dramatic 3-0 win over Oviedo, much of the post-match discussion centred not on Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant goal but on the build-up to it.

In their opening game against Osasuna, Madrid were already under the spotlight when Abel Bretones received a red card that went unreviewed despite calls for leniency.

This weekend, the focus shifted to a moment that directly influenced the scoreboard.

Madrid’s opener came in the 29th minute, with Mbappe showing his class by controlling the ball superbly and finishing with precision.

But just as the net rippled, Oviedo players surrounded referee Ricardo de Burgos, demanding he revisit a potential foul earlier in the move.

Tchouameni’s role in the build-up

The controversy arose from a challenge by Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield. The Frenchman slid in on Leander Dendoncker to win possession before Madrid’s attack unfolded, but replays did little to settle the argument.

From some angles, it looked like Tchouameni may have clipped the opponent, while others suggested he reached the ball first.

VAR, however, chose not to intervene, and the referee allowed the goal to stand despite heated protests from Oviedo players and staff.

After the match, Oviedo manager Veljko Paunovic expressed his frustration while choosing his words carefully. “You can’t talk to the referee.

“It seems to me that the Madrid player gets there, but he also brings down our player. I can’t talk about it, I can’t give my opinion.

“We’re the team that’s just been promoted, and we have to earn respect. No one’s going to give it to us,” he said.

The incident adds to a growing list of refereeing debates involving Madrid early in the season.

While Alonso’s side continue to collect points and clean sheets, questions about fairness and consistency are beginning to cast a shadow over their campaign.